Akobo County Troubles

April 13, 2007 — Akobo County troubles were triggered by many things, among them, the total mismanagement by the Commissioner. Observers said the Akobo County’s Salary was suspended due to serious problems associated with the county commissioner Mr. Doyak Chol. 

Three Nuer traditional Chiefs went from Akobo to complain to the State Government regarding mismanagement and gross abuse of power by the commissioner. The chiefs revealed that Mr. Doyak has been misleading people wrongly. “He is everything in the county; he appointed his relatives LOU MOR to lead county departments while ignoring other clans like the Gon, not mentioning the Anyuak who are the owners of the land”, said one of the Chiefs. Another chief echoed the first Speaker that Mr. Commissioner incited and armed his Mor people to fight with other clan members whom he perceived as his opponents. Now we are tired of him. We want him to go.” The three Chiefs were speaking in Jonglei State capital, Bor. In addition, Mr. Commissioner has been abusing his executive powers by arresting police officials and other organized forces who are not under his jurisdiction in the county.

As result of the Chiefs’ complaints to the State government, compounded by other records of Mr. Doyak Chol’s mismanagement of the county, the salary for the months of January and February 2007 that the county employees are supposed to earn in April 2007 has been suspended until the commissioner is brought to Bor for questioning.

The Jonglei State Governor, Mr. Philip Thon Leek, acted immediately by setting up a committee composed of State MPs and Ministers among others to investigate Mr. Chol.

Meanwhile, Mr. Doyak Chol armed people attacked Anyuak between Akobo town and the Anyuak villages. The attackers pretended as Murle, ambushed innocent Anyuak, shooting and robbed them of 8 cattle; kidnapping a girl, raped her, and released her. The attackers warned the girl not to inform her parents of their Nuer identity.
 
In respect to the investigation, the committee may go to Akobo soon if Mr. Chol delays to report to the State government. However, the committee is hoping that Mr. Doyak Chol will report soon in Bor to account for his deeds or finish with him, so that the money suspension can be lifted. 

(Observer, Sudan)